2 Juveniles Captured in Armed Robbery Arrest and Pursuit

On March 13, 2019, at approximately 11:45pm, information was received by the Hazleton Police Department from a concerned parent reporting their JUVENILE son stole a firearm from the house and was taking it to the Pine Street Playground. Hazleton Police were able to identify the male juvenile responsible and immediately began to search for the juvenile in the area, which resulted in the arrest and seizure of 1800 bags of heroin, which was unrelated.

On March 14, 2019, at approximately 11:39am, Hazleton Police received information that two female victims (13YOA) and (15YOA), were met by the above male juvenile that stole the firearm.

Hazleton Police determined, at approximately 4:19am, in the area of Wyoming and Green Streets, a female juvenile actor, (14YOA) along with the above male juvenile (16YOA) forced both female victims to the rear of a commercial establishment on Manhattan Court and Green Street. The (14YOA) juvenile female actor brandished a black handgun and demanded all the two victims valuables, while the male juvenile actor from the incident above wielded a brick threatening to kill both victims during the robbery. The victims complied and both the female and male actors above fled the scene after the robbery occurred. Detective Sergeant David Rodick responded and began to investigate the incident.

Around 2:30pm, information was received that the wanted male juvenile from the incident fled from a location in the area of the 60 block of North Bennet Court. The juvenile is currently wanted by Juvenile Probation in relation to the above stolen firearm charges and officers were currently completing additional charges on him in relation to the armed robbery. Hazleton Police Officers responded and checked the area with negative results.

As officers arrived at a residence, the male juvenile was observed exiting out the rear door of the location. When the male juvenile observed the officers, he quickly fled back into the home. Officers pursued him through the house and out of the rear door. An extensive foot pursuit ensued which, ended with the male juvenile being taken into custody in the rear of a commercial establishment in the area of Cedar and Maple Street.

The juvenile sustained minor injuries from falling into a pile of snow and ice while officers took him into custody. He was arrested and transported to LVHH where he was treated and released. He was transported to Hazleton Police Headquarters for additional charges.

Permission was received from the LCDA’s Office for the juvenile to be charged as an adult in the armed robbery. Hazleton Officers responded back to residence on East Hemlock Street in an attempt to locate the firearm used in the robbery. A consent search was conducted with negative results.

While officers were on scene, a female juvenile arrived on scene and immediately became verbally aggressive towards the police officers. The juvenile was determined to be the 2nd actor involved in the armed robbery and was taken into custody on scene with-out incident.

LCDA’s Office approved felony charges in connection with the robbery. Contact was also made with LC Juvenile Probation, who gave officers permission to lodge the female in a juvenile detention center on the charges.

The male juvenile is presently being processed and will be arraigned and transported to an available facility.